Terrence Thomas: Soccer’s Super Tuesday

It’ll have nothing to do with Obama or Hillary or McCain or Huckabee, but the results will be just as important for the future.

When several soccer teams take to the field today, they’ll be having their own version of Super Tuesday. But instead of presidential primary elections, first place in district, playoff positioning — even bragging rights — will be on the line.

Here’s a look at some of Tuesday’s feature matches.

Boys

Churchill vs. Lee, 7 p.m. at Blossom West: It seems just like yesterday that Lee was trying to recover from a rough patch that included a scoreless tie with Wagner, a three-goal loss to No. 1 Central Catholic and a 2-1 setback to Smithson Valley. Despite all of that, the Volunteers can move into first place in District 28-5A with a victory. Of course, they’ll have to knock off league-leader Churchill, the team that has ended their season one victory shy of the Region IV-5A tournament each of the past two seasons.

Southwest at Victoria Memorial, 7:30 p.m.: The Dragons can move into sole possession of first place in District 27-5A with a road victory the Vipers, who are a half-game ahead of Southwest.

Highlands at East Central, 7:30 p.m.: The way each team started the season, the prevailing theory was that this game would at least be for first place in 27-5A. Instead, it might determine one of these squad’s postseason future. Defending league champion Highlands started 0-2 before finally getting its first district victory on Friday. East Central, though, is 0-3 and needs a turnaround quickly.

Clemens at Steele, 7:15 p.m.: My how things have changed in a year. In 2007, Steele was playing its first varsity season, while Clemens missed the postseason for the first time 2004. Today, the clubs meet for first place in 28-4A.

Reagan vs. Central Catholic, 7 p.m. at Comalander: The top-ranked Buttons finish out the “we’ll-take-on-anyone” portion of their schedule when they play No. 7 Reagan. Central Catholic has already beaten Lee and Boerne, and tied Churchill.

Girls

Smithson Valley at Judson, 7 p.m.: A year ago, these two met in the next-to-last regular-season game to determine the final playoff berth out of District 26-5A. This contest doesn’t carry such significance, but it will probably factor in the 26-5A playoff picture.

O’Connor vs. Marshall, 7 p.m. at Farris: Two teams that have had little trouble scoring goals — and keeping opponents from scoring goals — square off for first place in District 28-5A.

Steele at Clemens, 7:15 p.m.: In 2007, these intra-district schools played for the District 28-4A championship on the final day of the regular season. At this point, only first place is at stake. But here’s betting that this won’t be the first time these sister schools play for first place this season.